Microbial Surfactant Compositions That Preserve Beneficial Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surfactants used in cleaning, agricultural, and bioremediation compositions adversely affect the viability, growth, and biological activity of beneficial microorganisms, leading to inconsistent application and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Combining surfactants with specific additives, such as L-amino acids, inorganic divalent metal salts, and optionally carbohydrates, in specific ratios to overcome surfactant incompatibility and facilitate microorganism viability and growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surfactants are used in cleaning, agricultural, and bioremediation compositions, then cleaning effectiveness and surface activity are improved, but the viability, growth, and biological activity of beneficial microorganisms are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces compatible surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the incompatible surfactant and beneficial microorganisms. These compatible surfactants (such as nonionic surfactants like polysorbates or carboxymethyl cellulose) are added to the formulation to protect the microorganisms from the harmful effects of incompatible surfactants (such as anionic surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate), thereby enabling both cleaning effectiveness and microorganism viability to coexist
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system by combining incompatible surfactants with compatible surfactants in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the formulation to benefit from the strong cleaning power of incompatible surfactants while the compatible surfactants provide a protective matrix that maintains microorganism viability, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and biological activity
2Duration of action of moving object
If beneficial microorganisms are added to compositions, then long-term cleaning effect and biological activity are improved, but the microorganisms fail to germinate or grow when surfactants are present
Solution Approach 1:
Compatible surfactants serve as protective intermediaries that create a microenvironment favorable for microorganism germination and growth even in the presence of incompatible surfactants. These mediators reduce the toxic impact on microorganisms, allowing them to germinate, grow, and maintain productivity throughout the storage period and during application, thus achieving both long-term effect and biological activity
Solution Approach 2:
The compatible surfactants are incorporated into the formulation in advance to pre-protect the beneficial microorganisms from surfactant toxicity. This preliminary protective action ensures that when the composition is applied, the microorganisms are already shielded and can immediately germinate and grow without being inhibited by the incompatible surfactants, thereby maintaining productivity
3Stability of the object's composition
If microorganisms are stored in compositions, then stability during storage is improved, but the microorganisms settle to the bottom and are not adequately dispersed
Solution Approach 1:
Compatible surfactants act as dispersing intermediaries that prevent microorganism aggregation and settling during storage. These surfactants adsorb onto microorganism surfaces and provide steric or electrostatic repulsion, maintaining uniform dispersion throughout the composition. This intermediary action ensures both storage stability and adequate dispersity when the composition is shaken or applied
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface properties of microorganisms through interaction with compatible surfactants, changing parameters such as surface charge and hydrophilicity. These parameter changes enhance the dispersibility and suspension stability of microorganisms, preventing them from settling to the bottom while maintaining uniform distribution throughout the composition during storage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The additives enable surfactants to be used with beneficial microorganisms, maintaining their viability, growth, and biological activity, improving dispersity and stability, and enabling applications in cleaning, agriculture, and bioremediation.
Implementation Method 1
Surfactants that can adversely affect the viability of beneficial microorganisms include many common anionic surfactants, such as alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates, and most amphoteric surfactants
Implementation Method 2
Another important consideration for compositions comprising beneficial microorganisms is the ability to maintain the microorganisms in a stable suspension during storage and use
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more surfactants that adversely affect viability, growth, and/or biological activity of beneficial microorganisms, and particular additives that overcome the adverse effect of the surfactant, thereby facilitating viability, growth, and biological activity of the beneficial microorganism. The additives that can overcome the adverse effect of the surfactant comprise at least one L-amino acid in combination with at least one of (a) inorganic divalent metal salts or (b) monovalent salts, and optionally, at least one carbohydrate, in particular amounts and ratios. Also disclosed is a method for overcoming the adverse effect that particular surfactants have on beneficial microorganisms by combining the surfactants with the particular additives. The compositions and method can be used in a variety of end use applications that employ beneficial microorganisms, including surface cleaning compositions, environmental remediation, and agricultural applications.